Winter Beauty Tips Buying Guide

Ah, winter. Pretty snowflakes, snowmen, and the holidays. It's all so picturesque until the reality sinks in; for a lot of us, winter means dry skin, chapped lips, and stress-induced acne. No worries, though. We have all the tips and products you'll need to look your best this season, from glowing, revitalized skin to soft silky hair.

Tips

So what should you do to make sure you look and feel your best this time of year? It can all depend on what you consider to be your problem areas, but in general: moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Also consider some of the following tips for a refreshed winter look.

General

Don't neglect the sunscreen ! The sun's UV rays can actually be stronger right now, and with that snow there to reflect upon, it's vital that you protect yourself with a product containing at least SPF 15. Stay hydrated; even though you won't be sweating as much when it's cold out, be sure to drink lots of water. Get some sleep. This can be a stressful time of the year, so one of the best things you can do for yourself is get a proper night's rest, which will reduce stress and give your skin time to rest. Use a humidifier  in your room at night. Heaters drain your skin of moisture, so humidifiers can counteract the damage. Avoid electric blankets. The goal here is to avoid excessive heat that will dry out your skin and hair. Look for warm, breathable fabrics instead, like fleece . Wash in lukewarm--not scalding--water: turn down the temperature when you shower or wash your face. Super hot water can drain your skin of moisture!

Face

• If you wear makeup, be sure to moisturise before wearing powders, and prime before wearing creams. Extreme weather exacerbates the weaknesses makeup can have, so it's best to prep well beforehand.
• Use a face cream  that contains antioxidants. Antioxidants have a lot of benefits, but the one most relevant to winter beauty is that they protect the skin against damage done by the cold and wind.
• Use an extra hydrating night cream  on your face to soothe and repair skin while you sleep.
• Invest in a quality lip balm . Make sure it has at least SPF 15 to protect your lips from sun damage.

Hair

• Use a deep conditioner  or hair mask  if you find your locks are extra damaged and dry during the winter. Deep conditioners will not only add moisture , but will also repair a lot of damage. Use once or twice a week, or as needed.
• Limit your use of blow dryers  and flat  and curling irons  as much as possible. The heat will damage your hair more than ever. If you must indulge, make sure to use a heat-protecting spray  and dry your hair as much as possible before using any heat treatments.
• Use hydrating shampoos  and conditioners . Make sure it's made for your hair type--hydrating products for baby tresses will not work well for someone with a thick mop.
• Look for styling creams  rather than hair gels , which can be both sticky and drying.
• Avoid alcohol-based products, which can add to that dried out feeling. Most products will specify if they're alcohol-free .

Hands

• Use a quality hand cream . Since it's flu season and that means plenty of washing up and germ-preventing, it can seem difficult to avoid drying out your hands. Splurge on a quality product that will smooth cracks and make your skin feel soft.
• Use cuticle cremes  and oils  to keep those nails in tip-top shape!

Quick Picks

For the Body

No one knows that under those winter layers, your knees are dry and your elbows are rough, but you certainly do. Look for moisturisers and body washes with natural ingredients like oatmeal, aloe, shea butter, or cocoa butter that will help keep your skin smooth and healthy looking.

Olay Moisturising Body Wash Ultra Moisture	Aveeno Body Wash	Crabtree & Evelyn Jojoba Body Wash	Dove Cream Oil Body Wash

Vaseline Cocoa Butter	L'Occitane Organic Shea Butter	Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Body Butter	Aloe Propolis Creme	Crabtree & Evelyn Naturals Botanical Body Butter: Mango Butter & Grapefruit

For the Face

The skin on your face is delicate, so if you find dryness or redness are huge problems each winter, you'll need more than just a basic moisturiser. Cleansers labelled as gentle formula or being for sensitive skin can keep you from doing further damage, and improve the look of your skin. Soothing moisturisers can reduce stress as well as redness.

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum	MD Facial Cleanser Sensitive Skin	Nivea For Men Extra Soothing Moisture	Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Tube	Elemis Soothing Chamomile Cleanser

Olay Definity	Hydra+ by RoC Hydra+ Destressant Night Cream	Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra Comfortable Face Cream	Weleda Almond Cleansing Lotion	La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50 Spray

For the Hands

Your hands can say a lot about your health; besides your lips, they're the best indicators of dehydration, short of a persistent thirsty feeling. Creams reduce that damaged leathery look; for really dry hands, try Swiss or Norwegian formula moisturisers. Your cuticles may need attention as well, especially if you've been exposing the area to chemicals like nail polish removers or dyes.

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme	Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy With Pump	Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand Cream Concentrated	Gloves in A Bottle

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